FishTank

I only have used it once so it maybe too early to tell if it would work for leader. As far as stretch goes, it doesn't seem to stretch much but I used it in 40 degree water this past weekend. I think I will need to fish it for some more and at better water temps to tell. Also, just a personal preference, I like FC for leader if I am using it with braid which would be rare. Abrazx would be my choice for this but I tend to use whatever I have left over from a spool of FC now. What I like about though....Abrazx tends to be super tough, last a long time, and has minimal stretch.

In mono at same price point, maybe Sunline Natural. I also like Sufix Elite. My favorite in an any line..... Seaguar Invizx 12lb. I use it for just about everything except topwater. I just bought my first spool of Sunline Defier. It maybe too soon but it maybe my new favorite mono but it's pricey for sure.

I like both but there are better options. Big Game is great for tough, cheap line and Stren is good for an all purpose line. My gripe with both is that they tend not last too long and loose their properties quickly but each are good for the price.

This guy.....

It's going to based on where you are sending it too. Most rods I have seen shipped run between $25-40. All of the carriers are pricey though. You can check their websites for shipping prices, each has an estimator. Personally I like UPS unless it's going to Alaska. UPSP would then be my choice. Fed Ex only if you have too.

12lb Trilene will do. Personal favorite but not for topwater... 12lb Invizx

I have rods from G.Loomis, St. Croix, Abu Garcia, 13 Fishing, Shimano, Fenwick, and Quantum. If I had to pick one brand over all, I would say St. Croix but G. Loomis is a close second. Loomis does make my two favorite rods to use though> 783GLX and 853NRX. I may change my mind to G. Loomis in the future. We will see.

I'm probably going to be between 3/8oz and 3/4oz, the usual crankbait range. If I was going down to 1/4oz or less, the Aldebaran BSF would be on the radar. It too is one slick reel.

I don't think I can go wrong with either one. I do like the DC breaking system in my Curado and having that in this reel would be amazing. The plus side with the 19 is it will be new and it has the newer spool. This is what's driving me nuts.

So the Monkey has proposed another dilemma for me..... The same guy that sold me a used 2012 Antares HG is selling a 16 Antares DC that has also had minimal use. The guy paid about $650 for this thing and wants $425 shipped. After doing some looking, I found a Japan tackle shop that has a new 19 Antares for $400 + shipping. I am looking at the lower gear ratio versions (5.x) to use for a crankbait setup. It will be paired with a G.Loomis 843 or 845 IMX Pro Crankbait rod. The 2012 Antares is, after getting a few new parts, crazy smooth and will be used for jerkbaits and lighter soft plastic swimbaits. So which would you choose, if any? This will be my last reel for awhile so I am trying to put the bait monkey to rest (at least till next year).

Good God..... Feeling old today I guess... I was thinking of the Leviathan.

I had one of these on lone from I a guy that wanted it cleaned and serviced, even though it was new. I pretty much had this reel for most of last season. I had several things I noticed with this reel that bothered me and this oddly was not one of them. One thing I do remember that I thought was weird, there is a cap (sort of) on the spool shaft, break side. If that comes off or is worn down, then there will be play side to side and no tension between the spool and the cast control. See pic below from TT.

Good to hear. It's one of my favorite baits. I like it better than the flap slap and the trick darter. I just tend to catch more fish with it. I hope they update the colors though.

Who knew the bait monkey liked fishing line too?...... Got my line for the rest of the year. The one that has my attention is the Runcl line. It, surprisingly, looks like it will be good line. I have tried breaking it by hand and it's really tuff but at same time, it's soft. We will see what happens this weekend. It's supposed to be nice.... Can't wait.

I have fished a few tournaments were we released our catches at the boat ramp only to watch guys waiting about 50 yards away to try and catch them. Within a few minutes they were biting. As far as a myth goes, I grew up believing (to this day as well) that white rods are bad luck. This started in the 70's when I was a kid fishing with my dad and his friends. I can't say why it was a thing but it was pretty much a given that if you saw a guy fishing with a white rod, you avoided the area because his bad luck would rub off on you.

7' MH St. Croix Avid with a Shimano Curado K and 40lb Seaguar Braid.

Just in case, I like Sniper for baitcasters though. It's pretty good line but I do like Invizx better.

I like it in 12lb and 14lb. Based on the lures mentioned, I think 12lb will do it.

I have tried Sniper on spinning gear and it tended to jump off the spool and it also seemed to break easily. I tried two different pound tests (6lb and 8lb), both were the same. I tried the Trilene XL (sorry left out the XL version above) 100% FC and it just did everything I asked of it. It's soft, casts well, durable, average stretch and invisible under water. Also, the price is good. I have yet to find a FC I have liked better on spinning gear than Trilene XL 100%. I would pick a more expensive line but this one gets the job done.

For baitcasters I like 12lb Seaguar Invizx or 10lb Tatsu and for spinning gear, 6lb Trilene 100% FC.

To me it doesn't matter if their reels are good or bad, it's just nice to see another reel manufacture/company making a name for itself. I have heard some people are very happy with their reels and others are not.... And so it is with all fishing gear. I think that from what I have seen, it's not for me. But as long as they stay relevant and not gimmicky or cheap, they might create a decent fan base.

Downsizing.... Where's the fun in that? It's really not a bad idea but I don't think I could even if I tried. I would just replace them. Also, I know I can only take maybe 5 at a time on a boat and maybe 3 at the most when bank fishing or in a kayak. I often find that I look at my stuff and go "I can't make up my mind". Sometimes it would be easier to have just 5 setups that are all the same reel and with different specific rods.

Yes, sort of. I think that is where the gears are coming from. The guy I purchased the reel from offered to buy them. I sent him Plat's website and schematics. They should be here next week. I bought the bearings from Shimano US though.

Fast forward to 22:50. And see the difference between the Met gears and the Curado. On another topic....I recently purchased a used JDM Antares HG 2012 which had the sort of geary feeling that people talk about. I was convinced that I just needed a new set of gears like everyone else has mentioned. I called Shimano and I asked the question... Is there a US equivalent in parts for my reel? And their answer was, "No. Despite their simalarites, JDM reels can be produced with different parts that vary from market to market, especially the gears. I would need to contact Shimano Japan for parts or send it in and wait up to 2-3 months for the repair as they would have to contact Shimano Japan for the correct parts. They do not keep or use JDM parts or schematics." After taking the reel apart a few times, as sort of mentioned in the above video, I found the pinion support bearings were bad (busted actually) but I still need a new set of gears as they are just worn. I ordered the new bearings (still waiting on the pinion and main gear) , replaced the bearings and the geary feeling is 99% gone. This is just my guess but the plastic ring that is located in front of the spool side pinion support bearing is somehow causing the damage. I also noticed that the plastic ring has two different sides. I'm sure that makes some kind of difference. It would be easy to miss when taking the reel apart. My suggestion is to look at the bearings first before changing the gears.

I for one like the hooks but they do tend to get dull quickly despite being very sharp at first. I have used the VMC hooks mentioned above and they are pretty much the same. I have too have suffered from getting the hooks stuck in my fingers. It was stuck so deep and in such way I couldn't push it through. I had to rip it out. It was mighty painful.